Introduction:

Plastic pollution is a major threat to Uganda's environment, impacting our health, wildlife, and future. This petition calls for a two-pronged approach to tackle this issue:

National Clean-Up Day on Earth Day 2024:

We are calling upon His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni to declare April 22nd, Earth Day, a national holiday dedicated to a massive, country-wide plastic clean-up effort.

"Obumwe" Monthly Clean-Up Initiative: 

Inspired by Rwanda's successful "Umuganda" program, establish a Ugandan monthly clean-up day called "Obumwe" (meaning "togetherness" in Runyankore) to foster long-term environmental stewardship.

Why We Need This:

1. Existing legislation lacks strong enforcement. Empowering NEMA and local authorities, coupled with public education, is crucial.
2. Inadequate waste management infrastructure necessitates a national clean-up effort.
3. A national clean-up day will showcase Uganda's commitment to environmental protection, engage citizens, and foster a sense of shared responsibility.
4. "Obumwe" will build on this momentum, creating a lasting culture of environmental cleanliness.

Call to Action:

We urge the Ugandan government to:

1. Declare April 22nd, 2024, a national holiday for a country-wide plastic clean-up effort.
2. President Museveni to spearhead the initiative by participating in a designated clean-up.
3. Political leaders and local authorities to organize nationwide awareness campaigns and clean-up efforts.
4. Companies to sponsor clean-up activities and explore sustainable alternatives.
5. All organizations and individuals to participate in clean-up initiatives within their areas.

Beyond Clean-Ups:

1. Strengthen enforcement of existing plastic regulations.
2. Review and strengthen legislation across the plastic lifecycle (production, import, use, and disposal).
3. Explore Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to incentivize sustainable practices.

Together, we can:

• Combat plastic pollution and protect Uganda's environment.
• Create a cleaner, healthier Uganda for future generations.
• Achieve a plastic-free Uganda by 2030.

Join the Movement!

Sign this petition and share it with your network! Let's show the world that Uganda is committed to a plastic-free future.

Petition Initiated by:

Nelson Byanyima (Nelly Salvatore) - Environmental Scientist, Activist, Founder, and Director of Green Lens International.

https://www.greenlensug.org/post/president-museveni-declare-april-22nd-earthday-a-public-holiday-in-uganda

Together, let's make #Obumwe and a Plastic-Free Uganda a reality!